Abstract

                                A study was undertaken at Horiticultural College & Research Institute, Coimbatore in tomato cv. Co.3 to optimize graded dose hydrophylic polymers and its effect on quality parameters. A total of three hydrophylic polymers viz., Terra Cottem, Polyvinyl alcohol and Polyacrylamide were selected for the study. The treatment included six levels each of Terra Cottem (T, to T, at 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5 and 9.0 g per plant). Polyvinyl alcohol (T, to T,, at 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, 15.0 and 18.0 per plant), Polyacrylamide (T, to Tis at 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 per plant) and control (T,, at one part red earth, one part sand and one part farmyard manure). The results stated that the graded doses of 4.5, 15.0 and 10.0 g per plant of Terra Cottem, Polyvinyl alcohol and Polyacrylamide enhanced the TSS, flesh thickness, ascorbic acid, acidity, lycopene and shelf life of the fruit, which were not influenced significantly with further increase in doses of respective polymers.

Key words : Tomato, Efficacy of hydrophylic polymers, Processing quality